Quarterbacks coach George Godsey said Thursday that Savage mostly has received the same information the team's other three QBs have been provided. In turn, Savage has impressed the Texans with his dedication and understanding of a new, complex offensive system.

"For a rookie quarterback, it's very difficult. … And we're not holding much back from him, either," Godsey said after the ninth day of OTAs at NRG Stadium. "I'm going to coach him hard. Coach (Bill) O'Brien is going to coach him hard. The rest of the coaches are, too. The thing that I like about Tom is that he just looks me back in the eye, and he wants to give it more reps, and he wants to learn."

Godsey described Savage as a "hungry young man" willing to work on weekends and study during his off time. The Texans are giving the 2014 fourth-round draft pick as much installation material as he can handle during workouts.

"Our goal is to teach the unit the offense," Godsey said.

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With Ryan Fitzpatrick the expected starting quarterback and rookie Tom Savage making a strong first impression, the team's backup spot has come down to two QBs - Case Keenum and T.J. Yates

Quarterbacks coach George Godsey said the Texans are going through a "day-by-day" process as they determine which one of their four quarterbacks will be released.

"Each day, coach (Bill) O'Brien, myself and the other coaches are evaluating not just quarterbacks but every position," Godsey said. "And to see, OK, where are we today, and where have we come in these 13, really, offseason practices?"

Experience gives Fitzpatrick edge

Ryan Fitzpatrick's love of football and nine seasons' worth of NFL knowledge and experience have made an impression on the Texans.

Like coach Bill O'Brien, quarterbacks coach George Godsey acknowledged that Fitzpatrick must eliminate bad decisions that have become turnovers in the past.

But the Texans' expected Week 1 starting QB has made an impact during OTAs with his veteran understanding of the game.

"The first thing that we look for in a quarterback is how much do you want to get in there and put your time in," Godsey said. "And that's one thing that he's definitely shown from (my) time with him. He's got a lot of experience playing with different systems; he's seen a lot of things. In this league, there's going to be a lot of different looks that you're going to get. So with Ryan, he does a good job of controlling the offense and … getting together with other groups and trying to let them see everything through the quarterback's eyes."

To Godsey, "knowledge is power." Nine-plus seasons and five teams have given Fitzpatrick a résumé that QB competitors Case Keenum, T.J. Yates and Tom Savage can't touch.

"With his experience, he has a little bit more knowledge maybe than the other quarterbacks right now, because of maybe some of the negative things that he's experienced or positive things," Godsey said. "So I think that's one of the advantages that he has."